Amido-amine polymer compositions

ABSTRACT

Compounds, polymers, crosslinked polymers and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same may be derived from multi-amine monomers and multi-functional monomers having two or more amine reactive groups. Such compounds, polymers, crosslinked polymers and compositions may be used to treat hyperphosphatemia or to remove ions from the gastrointestinal tract of animals, including humans.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/448,222, filed Dec. 8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,163,799, which isthe National Phase application of International Application No.PCT/US2007/025216, filed Dec. 10, 2007, which designates the UnitedStates and was published in English, and which further claims thebenefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/874,715,filed Dec. 14, 2006. These applications, in their entirety, areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks for binding target ions, and more specificallyrelates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions, polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks for bindingtarget ions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hyperphosphatemia frequently accompanies diseases associated withinadequate renal function such as end stage renal disease (ESRD),hyperparathyroidism, and certain other medical conditions. Thecondition, especially if present over extended periods of time, leads tosevere abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and can bemanifested by aberrant calcification in joints, lungs, and eyes.

Therapeutic efforts to reduce serum phosphate include dialysis,reduction in dietary phosphate, and oral administration of insolublephosphate binders to reduce gastrointestinal absorption. Many suchtreatments have a variety of unwanted side effects and/or have less thanoptimal phosphate binding properties, including potency and efficacy.Accordingly, there is a need for compositions and treatments with goodphosphate-binding properties and good side effect profiles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to polymers, copolymers, polymer networks,copolymer networks and/or pharmaceutical compositions comprising thesame. The polymers and copolymers can be crosslinked to form polymernetworks and copolymer networks respectively. Compositions can comprisepolymers or residues thereof, copolymers or residues thereof, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks. Several embodiments of the inventionare described in further detail as follows. Generally, each of theseembodiments can be used in various and specific combinations, and withother aspects and embodiments unless otherwise stated herein.

In addition to the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and copolymernetworks of the present invention as described herein, other forms ofthe polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and copolymer networks arewithin the scope of the invention including pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, solvates, hydrates, prodrugs, polymorphs, clathrates, andisotopic variants and mixtures thereof of polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks described herein.

In addition, polymers, copolymers, polymer networks, and copolymernetworks of the invention may have optical centers, chiral centers ordouble bonds and the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks andcopolymer networks of the present invention include all of the isomericforms of these polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and copolymernetworks, including optically pure forms, racemates, diastereomers,enantiomers, tautomers and/or mixtures thereof.

The invention provides methods of treating an animal, including a human.The method generally involves administering an effective amount of apolymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or a copolymer network or acomposition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition) comprising the same asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the invention is, consists essentially of, orcomprises a copolymer or residue thereof and/or a copolymer network or apharmaceutical composition comprising the same, where the copolymer isderived from two or more monomers or comprises a residue of two or moremonomers where the monomers comprise a multi-amine monomer and amultifunctional monomer comprising two or more amine-reactive groups.

In one embodiment, the invention is, consists essentially of, orcomprises a copolymer or residue thereof and/or a copolymer network thatis derived from at least one monomer represented by Formula I and atleast one monomer represented by Formula II as follows:

wherein R₁ independently represents a hydrogen radical, —RNH₂,—R—N—(R—NH₂)₂ or —R—N—(R—N—(R—NH₂)₂)₂, wherein R independentlyrepresents a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylradical, for example a C₁ to C₂₀ radical such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅,or C₆ radical, with the proviso that at least one R₁, such as one, twoor three R₁'s, is not a hydrogen radical; R₂ independently represents ahydrogen radical or a branched or unbranched, substituted orunsubstituted alkyl radical, for example a C₁ to C₂₀ radical such as aC₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅, or C₆ radical.

Another aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising one or more polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks of the present invention and at least onepharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks described herein have severaltherapeutic applications. For example, they are useful in removingcompounds or ions such as anions, for example phosphorous-containingcompounds or phosphorous containing ions such as organophosphates and/orphosphates, from the gastrointestinal tract, such as from the stomach,small intestine and/or large intestine. In some embodiments, thepolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks areused in the treatment of phosphate imbalance disorders and renaldiseases.

In some embodiments, the invention comprises polymers and/or copolymersformed using a one pot or single step synthesis and polymer networks,copolymer networks and/or pharmaceutical compositions formed therefrom.

In yet another aspect, the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks are useful for removing other solutes, such aschloride, bicarbonate, and/or oxalate containing compounds or ions.Polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networksremoving oxalate compounds or ions find use in the treatment of oxalateimbalance disorders. Polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks removing chloride compounds or ions find use in, forexample, treating acidosis. In some embodiments, the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks are useful forremoving bile acids and related compounds.

The invention further provides compositions containing any of thepolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networksdescribed herein where the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks are in the form of particles and where the particlesare encased in one or more shells.

In another aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions.In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition contains one or morepolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks of theinvention and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In someembodiments, the composition is a liquid formulation in which thepolymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer network isdispersed in a liquid vehicle, such as water, and suitable excipients.In some embodiments, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymernetwork for binding a target compound or ion, and one or more suitablepharmaceutical excipients, where the composition is in the form of atablet, sachet, slurry, food formulation, troche, capsule, elixir,suspension, syrup, wafer, chewing gum or lozenge. In some embodimentsthe composition contains a pharmaceutical excipient selected from thegroup consisting of sucrose, mannitol, xylitol, maltodextrin, fructose,sorbitol, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments the target anionof the polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer network isan organophosphate and/or phosphate. In some embodiments the polymer,copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer network is more than about50% of the weight of the tablet. In some embodiments, the tablet is ofcylindrical shape with a diameter of from about 12 mm to about 28 mm anda height of from about 1 mm to about 8 mm and the amine polymercomprises more than 0.6 to about 2.0 gm of the total weight of thetablet.

In some of the compositions of the invention, the excipients are chosenfrom the group consisting of sweetening agents, binders, lubricants, anddisintegrants. Optionally, the polymer, copolymer, polymer networkand/or copolymer network is present as particles of less than about 80μm mean diameter. In some of these embodiments, the sweetening agent isselected from the group consisting of sucrose, mannitol, xylitol,maltodextrin, fructose, and sorbitol, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the invention provides copolymers, copolymernetworks, or compositions that comprise a copolymer or residue thereof,where the copolymer is derived from two or more comonomers comprising atleast one multi-amine or residue thereof and at least one multi-ester orresidue thereof.

In some embodiments, the invention comprises a polymer, copolymer,polymer network or copolymer network, where the polymer or copolymer isformed from the alkylation of one or more multi-amine compounds with oneor more substituted or unsubstituted α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids toform at least one multi-amine ester, followed by reaction (e.g.,polycondensation) of the multi-amine ester.

In some embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of the invention maycomprise hyperbranched polymers. In some embodiments, polymers and/orcopolymers of the invention include polymers and/or copolymers wherefrom 10-95% of the amine groups in the polymer and/or copolymer comprisesecondary amine groups. In other embodiments, polymers and/or copolymersof the invention may have a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95. Inother embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of the invention have apolydispersity of greater than 1.2. In some embodiments, polymers and/orcopolymers of the invention may be branched and may be characterized bya plot of log (M_(v)) versus log (η) that has no maximum, where M_(v)represents the viscosity averaged molecular weight of the polymer and ηrepresents the intrinsic viscosity of the polymer. In other embodiments,polymers and/or copolymers of the invention include polymers and orcopolymers where greater than 10% and less than 90% of the non-terminal,non-amido amine groups in the polymer or copolymer are tertiary amines.In some embodiments, the invention comprises polymer networks orcopolymer networks formed from polymers or copolymers having any one ormore of these properties, methods of treatment, for example treatment ofhyperphosphatemia comprising administering an effective amount of one ormore polymers, copolymers, polymer networks, copolymer networks orcompositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising the same toan animal in need thereof, where the polymers or copolymers have any oneor more of these properties.

In still other embodiments, a polymer network and/or copolymer networkmay include two or more polymers or copolymers, where at least one ofthe polymers or copolymers is a derived from monomers according toFormulas I and H, that may be linked or crosslinked to form a polymernetwork or copolymer network. For example, in some embodiments a polymernetwork or copolymer network may comprise a residue of two or morepolymers or copolymers according to the invention and a residue of oneor more crosslinking agents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention is, consists essentially of, or comprises ahyperbranched polymer or residue thereof, a hyperbranched copolymer orresidue thereof, a hyperbranched polymer network and/or a hyperbranchedcopolymer network or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

In another aspect, the present invention provides copolymers, copolymernetworks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof, compositions(e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise copolymers and/orcopolymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion, such asa phosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g.phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal by administeringan effective amount of a copolymer or copolymer network, where thecopolymer is derived from or comprises a residue of a multi-aminemonomer and a residue of a multifunctional monomer comprising two ormore amine-reactive groups such as, for example, vinyl groups,carboxylic acid groups, ester groups and/or combinations thereof. Theamine-reactive groups may react with the multi-amine via any suitablereaction, for example via a condensation or polycondensation reaction orvia an alkylation reaction. In some embodiments, the reaction mayinclude a combination of different reactions, such as a combination ofalkylation and condensation reactions. In some embodiments the reactionor reactions may be controlled by any suitable means including, forexample, choice of solvent, temperature, concentration of reactants,protection using protecting groups, pH and/or any other suitablemethods.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers and/orpolymer networks that comprise polymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise polymers,and/or polymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion,such as a phosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containingion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal byadministering an effective amount of a polymer or polymer network, wherethe polymers are derived from a monomer or comprise a residue of amonomer, where the monomer comprises an amine ester monomer having oneor more amine reactive groups and one or more amine groups.

In one aspect, the present invention provides copolymers, copolymernetworks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof, compositions(e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise copolymers and/orcopolymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion, such asa phosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g.phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal by administeringan effective amount of a copolymer or copolymer network, where thecopolymers are derived from comonomers represented by the followingFormulas I and II:

wherein R₁ independently represents a hydrogen radical, —RNH₂,—R—N—(R—NH₂)₂ or —R—N—(R—N—(R—NH₂)₂)₂, wherein R independentlyrepresents a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylradical for example a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄,C₅ or C₆ radical, with the proviso that at least one R₁ is not ahydrogen radical; R₂ independently represents a hydrogen radical or abranched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical forexample a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆radical.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprisecopolymers and/or copolymer networks, and methods for removing acompound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound or aphosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a copolymeror copolymer network, where the copolymers comprise at least onemulti-amine or residue thereof and at least one ester or multi-ester orresidue thereof.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers,copolymers, polymer networks that comprise polymers or residues thereof,copolymer networks that comprise copolymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks, and methods forremoving a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound ora phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a copolymeror copolymer network, where the polymers or copolymers are formed fromalkylation of multi-amine compounds with substituted or unsubstitutedα,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters to form at least onemulti-amine ester, followed by, polycondensation of the multi-amineester.

In another aspect, the present invention provides copolymers, copolymernetworks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof, compositions(e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise copolymers and/orcopolymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion, such asa phosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g.phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal by administeringan effective amount of a copolymer or copolymer network, where thecopolymers comprise a residue of one or more multi-amine compounds and aresidue of one or more α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers and/orpolymer networks that comprise polymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise polymers,and/or polymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion,such as a phosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containingion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal byadministering an effective amount of a polymer or polymer network, wherethe polymers comprise polycondensation polymers derived from one or moremulti-amine ester monomers.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers, polymernetworks that comprise said polymers or residues thereof, compositions(e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise polymers and/orpolymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion, such as aphosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g.phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal by administeringan effective amount of a polymer or polymer network, where the polymeris derived from a vinyl amide monomer, said monomer comprising one ormore vinyl groups and one or more non-amido amine groups.

In some embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of the invention includepolymers and or copolymers where from 10-95%, for example 10-75%,25%-75%, 30%-60%, such as 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or 55% ofthe amine groups in the polymer or copolymer comprise secondary aminegroups. In other embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of theinvention include polymers and or copolymers where greater than 10% andless than 90%, for example, from 15%-85%, 20%-80%, 30%-70%, such as 35%,40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or 65% of the non-terminal, non-amido aminegroups in the polymer or copolymer are tertiary amines. In otherembodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of the invention may have adegree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95, such as from 0.25-0.75,0.30-0.60, or such as a degree of branching of 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35,0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55 which, in some embodiments may be calculatedaccording to the following formula:

${{Degree}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{Branching}} = \frac{\;{N_{p} + N_{t}}}{N_{p\;} + N_{t} + N_{s}}$

where

-   -   N_(p)=the number of primary amine units in the polymer (e.g.,

units);

-   -   N_(t)=the number of tertiary amine units in the polymer (e.g.,

units; and

-   -   N_(s)=the number of secondary amine units in the polymer (e.g.,

units).

In other embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of the invention have apolydispersity of greater than 1.2, for example greater than 1.3, 1.4,1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.5 or even greater than 3.0, such as from 1.2-6, suchas 1.5-5 or 2-4. In some embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of theinvention may be branched and may be characterized by a plot of log(M_(v)) versus log (η) that has no maximum, where M_(v) represents theviscosity averaged molecular weight of the polymer or copolymer and ηrepresents the intrinsic viscosity of the polymer or copolymer. Forexample, in some embodiments, polymers and copolymers of the inventionwhere the following equation is true: d(log(η))/d(log(M_(v)))≠0.

In some embodiments, polymers and/or copolymers of the invention mayhave random, variable length branching. For example, polymers orcopolymers of the invention may exhibit branching that does not conformto a regular or easily predictable or quantifiable pattern of occurrenceor length and instead results from essentially random molecularinteractions that may be driven by a wide variety of different variablessuch as, for example, monomer concentration, reactivity, pH, solvent,temperature, charge-charge interactions, catalysis, order of addition,and any other reaction parameters.

As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the term “derived from” isunderstood to mean: produced or obtained from another substance bychemical reaction, especially directly derived from the reactants, forexample a polymer or copolymer may be derived from the reaction of amulti-amine compound and a substituted or un-substituted α,β unsaturatedcarboxylic acid or ester. Additionally, a polymer or copolymer that isreacted with a linking agent, such as a crosslinking agent results in apolymer network or a copolymer network that is derived from the polymeror copolymer and the linking agent.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprisecopolymers and/or copolymer networks, and methods for removing acompound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound or aphosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a copolymeror copolymer network, where the copolymers are derived from comonomersrepresented by the following Formulas I and II:

wherein R₁ independently represents a hydrogen radical, —RNH₂,—R—N—(R—NH₂)₂ or —R—N—(R—N—(R—NH₂)₂)₂, wherein R independentlyrepresents a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylradical for example a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄,C₅ or C₆ radical, with the proviso that at least one R₁ is not ahydrogen radical; R₂ independently represents a hydrogen radical or abranched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical forexample a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆radical where the copolymer is hyperbranched.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprisecopolymers and/or copolymer networks, and methods for removing acompound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound or aphosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a copolymeror copolymer network, where the copolymers comprise a compound orresidue thereof according to the following Formula I and a compound orresidue thereof according to the following Formula II

wherein R₁ independently represents a hydrogen radical, —RNH₂,—R—N—(R—NH₂)₂ or —R—N—(R—N—(R—NH₂)₂)₂, wherein R independentlyrepresents a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylradical for example a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄,C₅ or C₆ radical, with the proviso that at least one R₁ is not ahydrogen radical; R₂ independently represents a hydrogen radical or abranched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical forexample a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆radical where the copolymer has one or more of the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments, the compound or comonomer according to Formula I isselected from the group consisting of:

and combinations thereof, where R independently represents a branched orunbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical for example a C₁to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆ radical.Examples of compounds or comonomers according to Formula I include:

In some embodiments, the compound or comonomer according to Formula IIis selected from the group consisting of:

and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprisecopolymers and/or copolymer networks, and methods for removing acompound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound or aphosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a copolymeror copolymer network, where the copolymers comprise at least onemulti-amine or residue thereof and at least one ester or multi-ester orresidue thereof; where the copolymer has one or more of the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments, the multi-amine comprises a compound according toFormula I. In some embodiments the multi-amine may have from 2-20, suchas 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19terminal amine groups and the multi-ester may have from 2-20, such as 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 terminalester groups. In some embodiments the multi-ester is selected from thegroup consisting of:

and combinations thereof, where R independently represents a branched orunbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical for example a C₁to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆ radical.

Examples of some multi-esters include:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers,copolymers, polymer networks that comprise polymers or residues thereof,copolymer networks that comprise copolymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks, and methods forremoving a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound ora phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a copolymeror copolymer network, where the polymers or copolymers are formed fromalkylation of multi-amine compounds, such as, for example multi-aminecompounds according to Formula I, with substituted or unsubstitutedα,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters to form at least onemulti-amine ester, followed by, polycondensation of the multi-amineester where the polymer or copolymer has one or more of the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments, polycondensation comprises polymerization of the atleast one multi-amine ester. In other embodiments, polycondensationcomprises copolymerization of the at least one multi-amine ester withone or more multi-amine compounds that may be the same or different thanthe multi-amine compound that forms the multi-amine ester.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers and/orpolymer networks that comprise polymers or residues thereof,compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) that comprise polymers,and/or polymer networks, and methods for removing a compound or ion,such as a phosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containingion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal byadministering an effective amount of a polymer or polymer network, wherethe polymers comprise polycondensation polymers derived from one or moremulti-amine ester monomers where the polycondensation polymers have oneor more of the following characteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the polymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said polymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments the multi-amine ester monomer may be selected fromthe group consisting of

and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions that comprise copolymers and/or copolymer networks, andmethods for removing a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containingcompound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal by administering an effective amountof a copolymer or copolymer network, where the copolymers comprise atleast one compound or residue thereof, said compound represented by thefollowing Formula III:

wherein R independently represents a branched or unbranched, substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl radical for example a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical,such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆ radical; R₃ independently representsa hydrogen radical or a unit independently represented by the followingFormula IV, with the proviso that at least one R₃ comprises a grouprepresented by Formula IV:

wherein R₄ independently represents

wherein m independently represents an integer from 1-20; R₅independently represents a hydrogen radical; a substituted orun-substituted alkyl radical; a substituted or un-substituted arylradical; or R₅ and a neighboring R₅ together represent a link or linkscomprising a residue of a crosslinking agent, a substituted orun-substituted alicyclic radical, a substituted or un-substitutedaromatic radical, or a substituted or un-substituted heterocyclicradical; or R₅ represents a link with another compound; R₆ represents ahydrogen radical or a unit according to Formula IV where the copolymerhas one or more of the following characteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments, the copolymer comprises a residue of at least onecompound, said compound represented by:

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions that comprise copolymers and/or copolymer networks, andmethods for removing a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containingcompound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal by administering an effective amountof a copolymer or copolymer network, where the copolymers comprise atleast one residue of one or more tris(aminoalkane)amines and at leastone residue of a substituted or unsubstituted α,β-unsaturated carboxylicacid or ester, where the copolymer has one or more of the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments the copolymer comprises one or more groupsrepresented by the following Formula V:

wherein R₇ comprises a link to a portion of a copolymer or copolymernetwork comprising a residue of a compound, said compound independentlyrepresented by Formula III.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers, polymernetworks that comprise said polymers or residues thereof, compositionsthat comprise polymers and/or polymer networks, and methods for removinga compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containing compound or aphosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from the gastrointestinaltract of an animal by administering an effective amount of a polymer orpolymer network, where the polymer is derived from a vinyl amidemonomer, said monomer comprising one or more vinyl groups and one ormore non-amido amine groups, where the polymer has one or more of thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the polymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said polymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides polymers and/orpolymer networks that comprise polymers or residues thereof,compositions that comprise polymers, and/or polymer networks, andmethods for removing a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containingcompound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal by administering an effective amountof a polymer or polymer network, where the polymers comprise a polymerderived from a monomer represented by the following Formula VI:

wherein R₆ represents —R—R₇, —R—NH—R—R₇, —R₈, —R—N—(R₈)₂, —R—N(R—R₇)—R₈or —R—N(R—R₇)—R—N(R₈)—R—N—(R₈)₂; R independently represents a branchedor unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical, for example aC₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄, C₅ or C₆ radical; R₇independently represents —NH₂ or NH₃ ⁺Cl⁻; R₈ independently represents—R—N—(R—R₇)₂, where the polymers have one or more of the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the polymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said polymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments the polymer comprises one or more groups representedby one or more of the following Formulas VII-VIII:

wherein R₉ and R₁₀ independently represent a link to a portion of acopolymer or copolymer network comprising a residue of a monomer, saidmonomer independently represented by Formula VI.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions that comprise copolymers and/or copolymer networks, andmethods for removing a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containingcompound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal by administering an effective amountof a copolymer or copolymer network, where the copolymers comprise atleast one amine compound or residue thereof, said amine compoundrepresented by the following Formula IX:

wherein R₁₁ independently represents a hydrogen radical or a unitindependently represented by the following Formula X, with the provisothat at least one R₁₁ comprises a group represented by Formula X:

wherein R₄ independently represents

wherein m independently represents an integer from 1-20; R₅independently represents a hydrogen radical; a substituted orun-substituted alkyl radical; a substituted or un-substituted arylradical; or R₅ and a neighboring R₅ together represent a link or linkscomprising a residue of a crosslinking agent, a substituted orun-substituted alicyclic radical, a substituted or un-substitutedaromatic radical, or a substituted or un-substituted heterocyclicradical; or R₅ represents a link with another compound; R₁₂ represents ahydrogen radical or a unit according to Formula X, where the copolymerhas one or more of the following characteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides copolymers,copolymer networks that comprise said copolymers or residues thereof,compositions that comprise copolymers and/or copolymer networks, andmethods for removing a compound or ion, such as a phosphorous-containingcompound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g. phosphate) from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal by administering an effective amountof a copolymer or copolymer network, where the copolymer is derived fromcomonomers represented by the following Formulas I and XI:

wherein R₁ independently represents a hydrogen radical, —RNH₂,—R—N—(R—NH₂)₂ or —R—N—(R—N—(R—NH₂)₂)₂, wherein R independentlyrepresents a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylradical, for example a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical, such as a C₁, C₂, C₃,C₄, C₅ or C₆ radical, with the proviso that at least one R₁ is not ahydrogen radical, where the copolymer has one or more of the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95;    -   from 10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the        nitrogen in a secondary amine moiety;    -   a polydispersity greater than about 1.2;    -   random, variable length branching;    -   greater than 10% and less than 90% of non-terminal, non-amido        amine groups in said copolymer comprise tertiary amines;    -   when branched, an intrinsic viscosity that has no maximum        (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).

In some embodiments the copolymer comprises one or more groupsrepresented by one or more of the following Formulas XII-XIII:

wherein R₁₃ and R₁₄ independently represent a link to a portion of acopolymer or copolymer network comprising a residue of a compound, saidcompound independently represented by Formula I.

In some embodiments, polymers and or copolymers of the invention may bemodified with a further multi-amine post polymerization, for example byreaction of any remaining amine-reactive groups with the same or adifferent multi-amine.

In some embodiments, a method of making copolymers of the invention caninclude any suitable method such as addition of a multi-amine to acompound comprising two or more amine-reactive groups, such as anα,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, or to a multi-ester in areactor and heating the mixture under an inert atmosphere. In someembodiments, the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester may be analkyl acrylate such as methyl methacrylate. In some embodiments themixture may be heated to greater than 50° C., for example 60° C., 65°C., 70° C., 75° C., 80° C., 85° C. or higher and may be heated under anitrogen atmosphere. In some embodiments, the mixture may be heated from1 hour to several days, such as 1-7 days, such as from 24-72 hours. Theresulting copolymer may be purified using any suitable method, such asprecipitation and washing, or dialyzation. The copolymer may then bedried under vacuum or lyophilized to yield the desired copolymer.

In some embodiments, a multi-ester that may be used for makingcopolymers of the invention may be formed by reaction of a multi-aminewith a compound comprising two or more amine-reactive groups, such as anα,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, for example an acrylate suchas methyl acrylate, using any suitable technique. In some embodiments,the multi-amine may be placed in a suitable solvent, chilled to 4° C. orbelow, such as 4° C. to −10° C. and added to a chilled solution of thecompound comprising two or more amine-reactive groups. The resultingsolution may be allowed to slowly warm to room temperature and may bestirred for 1 hour to several days or a week or more at roomtemperature. The solution may then be washed and concentrated and driedto yield a multi-ester for use as a comonomer.

The copolymer may then be subsequently crosslinked using any suitablemethod. For example, the copolymer may be mixed with a crosslinkingagent in a suitable solvent, such as, for example, water and stirred. Agel may form and may be cured, broken, resuspended and washed one ormore times and then dried. The gel may be cured for 1 hour to 12 days,such as from 1-7 days, 2-6 days, such as 2-4 days.

In some embodiments, the invention is a method for reducing bloodphosphate levels by 5-100% in a patient in need thereof, the methodcomprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of one ormore polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks ofthe invention or a composition comprising one or more one or morepolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks of theinvention to the patient. In some embodiments, the invention is a methodfor reducing urinary phosphorous by 5-100% in a patient in need thereof,the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amountof one or more polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks of the invention or a composition comprising one or more one ormore polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks ofthe invention to the patient.

In some embodiments, the invention is a method of treating a phosphateimbalance disorder such as hyperphosphatemia comprising administering atherapeutically effective amount of one or more polymers, copolymers,polymer networks and/or copolymer networks of the invention or acomposition comprising one or more one or more polymers, copolymers,polymer networks and/or copolymer networks of the invention to a patientin need thereof.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a mixture of more thanone polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer network of theinvention, for example, in some embodiments the composition comprises2-20 such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks of the invention.

In some embodiments, the invention comprises a polymer, copolymer,polymer network and/or copolymer network of the invention derived from amulti-amine compound that is a mixture of multi-amine compounds, apharmaceutical composition comprising such a polymer, copolymer, polymernetwork and/or copolymer network, or a method of using the same in atherapeutically effective amount to remove a compound or ion, such as aphosphorous-containing compound or a phosphorous-containing ion (e.g.phosphate), from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal.

Other embodiments of the invention include pendant polymers formed withpolymers, copolymers polymer networks and/or copolymer networks aspendant groups on a polymer or polymerized backbone of a polymer. Suchpendant polymers may be formed by adding one or more polymerizablegroups to one or more amine groups on a polymer, copolymer, polymernetwork and/or copolymer network to form a pendant monomer and thensubsequently polymerizing the polymerizable group to form a pendantpolymer comprising a polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/orcopolymer network. A schematic example of such an addition follows [itshould be noted in the following that a polymer, copolymer, polymernetwork and/or copolymer network designated as “AC” is intended torepresent a polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer networkor residue thereof, of the invention, with one of its amine groupsdepicted for purposes of illustrating how a polymerizable group may beadded to the polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymernetwork]:

Non-limiting examples of other polymerizable groups that may be usedwith polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networkaccording to embodiments of the invention include:

One or more polymerizable groups may be added to each AC and thus it ispossible to have mixtures of pendant monomers having various pendant ACshaving differing numbers of polymerizable groups. In addition, thependant polymers made in this fashion may be modified, crosslinked,formed into a network or substituted post polymerization. Suchmodification may be performed for any number of reasons, including toimprove efficacy, tolerability or reduce side effects.

Pendant monomers may also be formed by addition of ACs to amine-reactivepolymers by reacting one or more amine groups of the ACs with one oramine-reactive groups on the amine-reactive polymers. Examples of someamine reactive polymers include:

The ACs or pendant monomers may also serve as multifunctional monomersto form polymers. For example, when the ACs or the polymers formed fromthe pendant monomers are crosslinked, the crosslinking reaction may becarried out either in solution of bulk (i.e. using the neat amine andneat crosslinking agents) or in dispersed media. When a bulk process isused, solvents are selected so that they co-dissolve the reactants anddo not interfere with the crosslinking reaction. Suitable solventsinclude water, low boiling alcohols (methanol, ethanol, butanol),dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, acetone, methylethylketone, andthe like.

Other polymerization methods may include a single polymerizationreaction, stepwise addition of individual monomers via a series ofreactions, the stepwise addition of blocks of monomers, combinations ofthe foregoing, or any other method of polymerization, such as, forexample, direct or inverse suspension, condensation, emulsion,precipitation techniques, polymerization in aerosol or using bulkpolymerization/crosslinking methods and size reduction processes such asextrusion and grinding. Processes can be carried out as batch,semi-continuous and continuous processes. For processes in dispersedmedia, the continuous phase can be selected from apolar solvents such astoluene, benzene, hydrocarbon, halogenated solvents, supercriticalcarbon dioxide, and the like. With a direct suspension process, watercan be used, although salt brines are also useful to “salt out” theamine and crosslinking agents in a droplet separate phase.

Polymers and copolymers, pendant monomers and pendant polymers of theinvention may be copolymerized with one or more other monomers oroligomers or other polymerizable groups, may be crosslinked, may havecrosslinking or other linking agents or monomers within the polymerbackbone or as pendant groups or may be formed or polymerized to form apolymer network or mixed or copolymer network comprising: polymer orcopolymers or residues thereof, pendant monomers or residues thereof,crosslinking agent or residues thereof, or other linking agents orresidues thereof. The network may include multiple connections betweenthe same or different molecules that may be direct or may include one ormore linking groups such as crosslinking agents or other linking agentssuch as monomers or oligomers or residues thereof.

Non-limiting examples of comonomers which may be used alone or incombination include: styrene, substituted styrene, alkyl acrylate,substituted alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, substituted alkylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, acrylamide,methacrylamide, N-alkylacrylamide, N-alkyl methacrylamide,N,N-dialkylacrylamide, N,N-dialkylmethacrylamide, isoprene, butadiene,ethylene, vinyl acetate, N-vinyl amide, maleic acid derivatives, vinylether, allyle, methallyl monomers and combinations thereof.Functionalized versions of these monomers may also be used. Additionalspecific monomers or comonomers that may be used in this inventioninclude, but are not limited to, methyl methacrylate, ethylmethacrylate, propyl methacrylate (all isomers), butyl methacrylate (allisomers), 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, methacrylicacid, benzyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, methacrylonitrile,α-methylstyrene, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate (allisomers), butyl acrylate (all isomers), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isobornylacrylate, acrylic acid, benzyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, acrylonitrile,styrene, glycidyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate,hydroxypropyl methacrylate (all isomers), hydroxybutyl methacrylate (allisomers), N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethylmethacrylate, triethyleneglycol methacrylate, itaconic anhydride,itaconic acid, glycidyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropylacrylate (all isomers), hydroxybutyl acrylate (all isomers),N,N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, N,N-d diethylaminoethyl acrylate,triethyleneglycol acrylate, methacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide,N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N-tert-butylmethacrylamide,N—N-butylmethacrylamide, N-methylolmethacrylamide,N-ethylolmethacrylamide, N-tert-butylacrylamide, N—N-butylacrylamide,N-methylolacrylamide, N-ethylolacrylamide, 4-acryloylmorpholine, vinylbenzoic acid (all isomers), diethylaminostyrene (all isomers),α-methylvinyl benzoic acid (all isomers), diethylamino α-methylstyrene(all isomers), p-vinylbenzene sulfonic acid, p-vinylbenzene sulfonicsodium salt, trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, triethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, tributoxysilylpropyl methacrylate,dimethoxymethylsilylpropyl methacrylate, diethoxymethylsilylpropylmethacrylate, dibutoxymethylsilylpropyl methacrylate,diisopropoxymethylsilylpropyl methacrylate, dimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, diethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, dibutoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, diisopropoxysilylpropyl methacrylate,trimethoxysilylpropyl acrylate, triethoxysilylpropyl acrylate,tributoxysilylpropyl acrylate, dimethoxymethylsilylpropyl acrylate,diethoxymethylsilylpropyl acrylate, dibutoxymethylsilylpropyl acrylate,diisopropoxymethylsilylpropyl acrylate, dimethoxysilylpropyl acrylate,diethoxysilylpropyl acrylate, dibutoxysilylpropyl acrylate,diisopropoxysilylpropyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, N-phenylmaleimide,N-butylmaleimide, N-vinylformamide, N-vinyl acetamide, allylamine,methallylamine, allylalcohol, methyl-vinylether, ethylvinylether,butylvinyltether, butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene, ethylene, vinylacetate and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, polymers and copolymers of the invention arecrosslinked using crosslinking agents, and may not dissolve in solvents,and, at most, swell in solvents. The swelling ratio may be measuredaccording to the procedure in the Test Methods section below and istypically in the range of about 1 to about 20; for example 2 to 10, 2.5to 8, 3 to 6 such as less than 5, less than 6, or less than 7. In someembodiments, the polymers and copolymers may include crosslinking orother linking agents that may result in polymer or copolymer networksthat do not form gels in solvents and may be soluble or partiallysoluble in some solvents.

Crosslinking agents are typically compounds having at least twofunctional groups that are selected from a halogen group, carbonylgroup, epoxy group, ester group, acid anhydride group, acid halidegroup, isocyanate group, vinyl group, and chloroformate group. Thecrosslinking agent may be attached to the carbon backbone or to anitrogen of an amine compound, amine monomer or residue thereof.

Examples of crosslinking agents that are suitable for synthesis of thepolymers or copolymers of the present invention include, but are notlimited to, one or more multifunctional crosslinking agents such as:dihaloalkanes, haloalkyloxiranes, alkyloxirane sulfonates,di(haloalkyl)amines, tri(haloalkyl)amines, diepoxides, triepoxides,tetraepoxides, bis(halomethyl)benzenes, tri(halomethyl)benzenes,tetra(halomethyl)benzenes, epihalohydrins such as epichlorohydrin andepibromohydrin poly(epichlorohydrin), (iodomethyl)oxirane, glycidyltosylate, glycidyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate, 4-tosyloxy-1,2-epoxybutane,bromo-1,2-epoxybutane, 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,3-dichloropropane,1,2-dichloroethane, 1-bromo-2-chloroethane, 1,3-dibromopropane,bis(2-chloroethyl)amine, tris(2-chloroethyl)amine, andbis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine, 1,3-butadiene diepoxide, 1,5-hexadienediepoxide, diglycidyl ether, 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane,1,2,9,10-diepoxydecane, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, propyleneglycol diglycidyl ether, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, 1,2ethanedioldiglycidyl ether, glycerol diglycidyl ether, 1,3-diglycidylglyceryl ether, N,N-diglycidylaniline, neopentyl glycol diglycidylether, diethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, 1,4-bis(glycidyloxy)benzene,resorcinol digylcidyl ether, 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether,trimethylolpropane diglycidyl ether, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanoldiglycidyl ether,1,3-bis-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-2-(2,3-dihydroxypropyloxy)propane,1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diglycidyl ester,2,2′-bis(glycidyloxy)diphenylmethane, bisphenol F diglycidyl ether,1,4-bis(2′,3′-epoxypropyl)perfluoro-n-butane,2,6-di(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-f]isoindol-1,3,5,7-tetraone,bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, ethyl5-hydroxy-6,8-di(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)-4-oxo-4h-chromene-2-carboxylate,bis[4-(2,3-epoxy-propylthio)phenyl]-sulfide,1,3-bis(3-glycidoxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane,9,9-bis[4-(glycidyloxy)phenyl]fluorine, triepoxyisocyanurate, glyceroltriglycidyl ether, N,N-diglycidyl-4-glycidyloxyaniline, isocyanuric acid(S,S,S)-triglycidyl ester, isocyanuric acid (R,R,R)-triglycidyl ester,triglycidyl isocyanurate, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, glycerolpropoxylate triglycidyl ether, triphenylolmethane triglycidyl ether,3,7,14-tris[[3-(epoxypropoxy)propyl]dimethylsilyloxy]-1,3,5,7,9,11,14-heptacyclopentyltricyclo[7.3.3.15,11]heptasiloxane,4,4′-methylenebis(N,N-diglycidylaniline), bis(halomethyl)benzene,bis(halomethyl)biphenyl and bis(halomethyl)naphthalene, toluenediisocyanate, acrylol chloride, methyl acrylate, ethylene bisacrylamide,pyrometallic dianhydride, succinyl dichloride, dimethylsuccinate. Whenthe crosslinking agent is an alkylhalide compound, a base can be used toscavenge the acid formed during the reaction. Inorganic or organic basesare suitable. NaOH is preferred. The base to crosslinking agent ratio ispreferably between about 0.5 to about 2.

In some embodiments, the crosslinking agents may be introduced into thepolymerization reaction in an amount of from 0.5 to 25 wt. % based onthe total weight of the amine polymer or polymer, such as from about 2to about 15 wt. %, from about 2 to about 12 wt. %, from about 3 to about10 wt. %, or from about 3 to about 6 wt. %, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 wt %.The amount of crosslinking agent necessary may depend on the extent ofbranching within the amine compound.

In some embodiment the weight averaged molecular weight of the polymersand copolymers, may be typically at least about 1000. For example, themolecular weight may be from about 1000 to about 1,000,000, such asabout 2000 to about 750,000, about 3000 to about 500,000, about 5000 toabout 250,000, about 10000 to about 100,000, such as from 15,000-80,000,20,000-75,000, 25,000 to 60,000, 30,000 to 50,000, or 40,000-45,000.

The polymers of some embodiments may be formed using a polymerizationinitiator. Generally, any initiator may be used including cationic andradical initiators. Some examples of suitable initiators that may beused include: the free radical peroxy and azo type compounds, such asazodiisobutyronitrile, azodiisovaleronitrile, dimethylazodiisobutyrate,2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile),2,2′-azobis(N,N-dimethyleneisobutyramidine)dihydrochloride,2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride,2,2′-azobis(N,N′-dimethyleneisobutyramidine),1,1″-azobis(1-cyclohexanecarbo-nitrile), 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanopentanoicacid), 2,2′-azobis(isobutyramide) dihydrate,2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropane), 2,2′-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile), VAZO67, cyanopentanoic acid, the peroxy pivalates, dodecylbenzene peroxide,benzoyl peroxide, di-t-butyl hydroperoxide, t-butyl peracetate, acetylperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, dimethylbis(butylperoxy) hexane.

In some embodiments, any of the nitrogen atoms within the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks according toembodiments of the invention may optionally be quaternized to yield thecorresponding positively charged tertiary nitrogen group, such as forexample, an ammonium or substituted ammonium group. Any one or more ofthe nitrogen atoms in the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks may be quaternized and such quaternization, whenpresent, is not limited to or required to include terminal aminenitrogen atoms. In some embodiments, this quaternization may result inadditional network formation and may be the result of addition ofcrosslinking, linking or amine reactive groups to the nitrogen. Theammonium groups may be associated with a pharmaceutically acceptablecounterion.

In some embodiments, polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks or residues thereof of the invention may be partiallyor fully quaternized, including protonated, with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable counterion, which may be organic ions, inorganic ions, or acombination thereof. Examples of some suitable inorganic ions includehalides (e.g., chloride, bromide or iodide) carbonates, bicarbonates,sulfates, bisulfates, hydroxides, nitrates, persulfates and sulfites.Examples of some suitable organic ions include acetates, ascorbates,benzoates, citrates, dihydrogen citrates, hydrogen citrates, oxalates,succinates, tartrates, taurocholates, glycocholates, and cholates.Preferred ions include chlorides and carbonates.

In some embodiments, polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks or residues thereof of the invention may beprotonated such that the fraction of protonated nitrogen atoms is from 1to 25%, preferably 3 to 25%, more preferably 5 to 15%.

In one embodiment, a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer, copolymer,polymer network or copolymer network or residues thereof is a polymer,copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer network or residues thereofin protonated form and comprises a carbonate anion. In one embodimentthe pharmaceutically acceptable polymer, copolymer, polymer networkand/or copolymer network is in protonated form and comprises a mixtureof carbonate and bicarbonate anions.

In some embodiments, polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks of the invention are characterized by their abilityto bind compounds or ions. Preferably the polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks of the invention bind anions, morepreferably they bind organophosphates, phosphate and/or oxalate, andmost preferably they bind organophosphates or phosphate. Forillustration, anion-binding polymers, copolymers, polymer networksand/or copolymer networks and especially organophosphate orphosphate-binding polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks will be described; however, it is understood thatthis description applies equally, with appropriate modifications thatwill be apparent to those of skill in the art, to other ions, compoundsand solutes. Polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks may bind an ion, e.g., an anion when they associate with theion, generally though not necessarily in a noncovalent manner, withsufficient association strength that at least a portion of the ionremains bound under the in vitro or in vivo conditions in which thepolymer is used for sufficient time to effect a removal of the ion fromsolution or from the body. A target ion may be an ion to which thepolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks binds,and usually refers to the ion whose binding to the polymers, copolymers,polymer networks and/or copolymer networks is thought to produce thetherapeutic effect of the polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/orcopolymer network and may be an anion or a cation. A polymer, copolymer,polymer network and/or copolymer network of the invention may have morethan one target ion.

For example, some of the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks described herein exhibit organophosphate or phosphatebinding properties. Phosphate binding capacity is a measure of theamount of phosphate ion a phosphate binder can bind in a given solution.For example, binding capacities of phosphate binders can be measured invitro, e.g., in water or in saline solution, or in vivo, e.g., fromphosphate urinary excretion, or ex vivo, for example using aspirateliquids, e.g., chyme obtained from lab animals, patients or volunteers.Measurements can be made in a solution containing only phosphate ion, orat least no other competing solutes that compete with phosphate ions forbinding to the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks. In these cases, a non interfering buffer may be used.Alternatively, measurements can be made in the presence of othercompeting solutes, e.g., other ions or metabolites, that compete withphosphate ions (the target solute) for binding to the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks.

Ion binding capacity for a polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/orcopolymer network may be measured as indicated in the Test Methods. Someembodiments have a phosphate binding capacity which can be greater thanabout 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0,12, 14, 16, 18 or greater than about 20 mmol/g. In some embodiments, thein vitro phosphate binding capacity of polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks or residues thereof of the inventionfor a target ion is greater than about 0.5 mmol/g, preferably greaterthan about 2.5 mmol/g, even more preferably greater than about 3 mmol/g,even more preferably greater than about 4 mmol/g, and yet even morepreferably greater than about 6 mmol/g. In some embodiments, thephosphate binding capacity can range from about 0.2 mmol/g to about 20mmol/g, such as about 0.5 mmol/g to about 10 mmol/g, preferably fromabout 2.5 mmol/g to about 8 mmol/g, and even more preferably from about3 mmol/g to about 6 mmol/g. Phosphate binding may be measured accordingto the techniques described in the Test Methods section below.

In some embodiments, polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks and compositions of the invention may reduce urinaryphosphorous of a patient in need thereof by 5-100%, such as 10-75%,25-65%, or 45-60%. Some embodiments may reduce urinary phosphorous bygreater than 10%, greater than 20%, greater than 30%, greater than 40%,greater than 45%, greater than 50% or greater than 60%. Reduction ofurinary phosphorous may be measured according to the methods detailed inthe Test Methods section below.

In some embodiments, polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks and compositions of the invention may reduce bloodphosphate of a patient in need thereof by 5-100%, such as 10-75%,25-65%, or 45-60%. Some embodiments may reduce blood phosphate levels bygreater than 10%, greater than 20%, greater than 30%, greater than 40%,greater than 45%, greater than 50% or greater than 60%.

When crosslinked, some embodiments of the amine compounds of theinvention form a gel in a solvent, such as in a simulatedgastrointestinal medium or a physiologically acceptable medium.

One aspect of the invention is core-shell compositions comprising apolymeric core and shell. In some embodiments, the polymeric corecomprises the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks described herein. The shell material can be chemically anchoredto the core material or physically coated. In the former case, the shellcan be grown on the core component through chemical means, for exampleby: chemical grafting of shell polymer to the core using livingpolymerization from active sites anchored onto the core polymer;interfacial reaction, i.e., a chemical reaction located at the coreparticle surface, such as interfacial polycondensation; and using blockcopolymers as suspending agents during the core particle synthesis.

In some embodiments, the interfacial reaction and use of block polymersare the techniques used when chemical methods are used. In theinterfacial reaction pathway, typically, the periphery of the coreparticle is chemically modified by reacting small molecules ormacromolecules on the core interface. For example, an amine containingion-binding core particle is reacted with a polymer containing aminereactive groups such as epoxy, isocyanate, activated esters, halidegroups to form a crosslinked shell around the core.

In another embodiment, the shell is first prepared using interfacialpolycondensation or solvent coacervation to produce capsules. Theinterior of the capsule is then filled up with core-forming precursorsto build the core within the shell capsule.

In some embodiments, using the block copolymer approach, an amphiphilicblock copolymer can be used as a suspending agent to form the coreparticle in an inverse or direct suspension particle forming process.When an inverse water-in-oil suspension process is used, then the blockcopolymer comprises a first block soluble in the continuous oil phaseand another hydrophilic block contains functional groups that can reactwith the core polymer. When added to the aqueous phase, along withcore-forming precursor, and the oil phase, the block copolymer locatesto the water-in-oil interface and acts as a suspending agent. Thehydrophilic block reacts with the core material, or co-reacts with thecore-forming precursors. After the particles are isolated from the oilphase, the block copolymers form a thin shell covalently attached to thecore surface. The chemical nature and length of the blocks can be variedto vary the permeation characteristics of the shell towards solutes ofinterest.

When the shell material is physically adsorbed on the core material,well known techniques of microencapsulation such as solventcoacervation, fluidized bed spray coater, or multiemulsion processes canbe used. One method of microencapsulation is the fluidized bed spraycoater in the Wurster configuration. In yet another embodiment, theshell material is only acting temporarily by delaying the swelling ofthe core particle while in the mouth and esophagus, and optionallydisintegrates in the stomach or duodenum. The shell is then selected inorder to hinder the transport of water into the core particle, bycreating a layer of high hydrophobicity and very low liquid waterpermeability.

In one embodiment the shell material carries negative charges whilebeing in the milieu of use. Not being limited to one mechanism ofaction, it is thought that negatively charged shell material coated onanion-binding beads enhance the binding of small inorganic ions with alow charge density (such as phosphate) over competing ions with greatervalency or size. Competing anions such as citrate, bile acids and fattyacids among others, may thus have a lesser relative affinity to theanion binding core possibly as a result of their limited permeabilityacross the shell.

In some embodiments, shell materials are polymers carrying negativecharges in the pH range typically found in the intestine. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, polymers that have pendant acid groupssuch as carboxylic, sulfonic, hydrosulfonic, sulfamic, phosphoric,hydrophosphoric, phosphonic, hydrophosphonic, phosphoramidic, phenolic,boronic and a combination thereof. The polymer can be protonated orunprotonated; in the latter case the acidic anion can be neutralizedwith pharmaceutically acceptable cations such as Na, K, Li, Ca, Mg, andNH₄.

In another embodiment the polyanion can be administered as a precursorthat ultimately activates as a polyanion: for instance, certain labileester or anhydride forms of either polysulfonic or polycarboxylic acidsare prone to hydrolysis in the acidic environment of the stomach and canconvert to the active anions.

The shell polymers can be either linear, branched, hyperbranched,segmented (i.e. backbone polymer arranged in sequence of contiguousblocks of which at least one contains pendant acidic groups),comb-shaped, star-shaped or crosslinked in a network, fully andsemi-interpenetrated network (IPN). The shell polymers are either randomor block in composition and either covalently or physically attached tothe core material. Examples of such shell polymers include, but are notlimited to acrylic acid homopolymers or copolymers, methacrylic acidhomopolymers or copolymers, and copolymers of methacrylate andmethacrylic acid. Examples of such polymers are copolymers ofmethylmethacrylate and methacrylic acid and copolymers of ethylacrylateand methacrylic acid, sold under the tradename Eudragit (Rohm GmbH & Co.KG): examples of which include Eudragit L100-55 and Eudragit L100 (amethylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid (1:1) copolymer, Degussa/Rohm),Eudragit L30-D55, Eudragit S 100-55 and Eudragit FS 30D, Eudragit S 100(a methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid (2:1) copolymer), Eudragit LD-55(an ethylacrylate-methacrylic acid (1:1) copolymer), copolymers ofacrylates and methacrylates with quaternary ammonium groups, sold underthe tradenames Eudragit RL and Eudragit RS, and a neutral esterdispersion without any functional groups, sold under the tradenameEudragit NE30-D.

Additional shell polymers include: poly(styrene sulfonate),Polycarbophil®; polyacrylic acid(s); carboxymethyl cellulose, celluloseacetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate as sold underthe tradename HP-50 and HP-55 (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), celluloseacetate trimellitate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate,cellulose acetate propionate, ethyl cellulose, cellulose derivatives,such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcelluose,hydroxylethylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose,hydroxylethylethylcelluose and hydroxypropylethylcellulose and cellulosederivatives such as cellulose ethers useful in film coatingformulations, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, carrageenan, alginate, orpoly(methacrylic acid) esters, acrylic/maleic acid copolymers,styrene/maleic acid polymers, itaconic acid/acrylic copolymers, andfumaric/acrylic acid copolymers, polyvinyl acetal diethylaminoacetate,as sold under the tradename AEA (Sankyo Co., Ltd.),methylvinylether/maleic acid copolymers and shellac.

In some embodiments the shell polymers are selected amongstpharmaceutically acceptable polymers such as Eudragit L100-55 andEudragit L100 (a methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid (1:1) copolymer,Degussa/Rohm), Carbopol 934 (polyacrylic acid, Noveon), C-A-P NF(cellulose acetate phthalate—Eastman), Eastacryl (methacrylic acidesters—Eastman), Carrageenan and Alginate (FMC Biopolymer), Anycoat—P(Samsung Fine Chemicals—HPMC Phthalate), or Aqualon (carboxymethylcellulose—Hercules), methylvinylether/maleic acid copolymers (Gantrez),and styrene/maleic acid (SMA).

The shell can be coated by a variety of methods. In one embodiment, theshell materials are added in the drug formulation step as an activeexcipient; for example, the shell material can be included in a solidformulation as a powder, which is physically blended with theorganophosphate or phosphate-binding polymer and other excipients,optionally granulated, and compressed to form a tablet. Thus, in someembodiments, the shell material need not cover the core material in thedrug product. For example, the acidic shell polymer may be addedtogether with the anion binding core polymer formulated in the shape ofa tablet, capsule, gel, liquid, etc, wafer, extrudates and the shellpolymer can then dissolve and distribute itself uniformly as a shellcoating around the core while the drug product equilibrates in themouth, esophagus or ultimately in the site of action, i.e. the GI tract.

In some embodiments, the shell is a thin layer of shell polymer. Thelayer can be a molecular layer of polyanion on the core particlesurface. The weight to core ratio can be between about 0.0001% to about30%, preferably comprised between about 0.01% to about 5%, such asbetween about 0.1% to about 5%.

The shell polymers have a minimum molecular weight such that they do notfreely permeate within the core pore volume nor elute from the coresurface. In some embodiments, the molecular weight (Mw) of the shellacidic polymer is above about 1,000 g/mole, such as above about 5,000g/mole, and or even above about 20,000 g/mole.

The anionic charge density of the shell material (as prevailing in themilieu of use) is may be between 0.5 mEq/gr to 22 mEq/gr, such as 2mEq/gr to 15 mEq/gr. If a coating process is used to form the shell onthe polymer particles as part of the manufacture of the dosage form,then procedures known from those skilled-in-the-art in thepharmaceutical industry are applicable. In one embodiment, the shell isformed in a fluidized bed coater (Wurster coater). In an alternateembodiment, the shell is formed through controlled precipitation orcoascervation, wherein the polymer particles are suspended in a polymersolution, and the solvent properties are changed in such a way as toinduce the polymer to precipitate onto or coat the polymer particles.

Suitable coating processes include the procedures typically used in thepharmaceutical industry. Typically, selection of the coating method isdictated by a number of parameters, that include, but are not limited tothe form of the shell material (bulk, solution, emulsion, suspension,melt) as well as the shape and nature of the core material (sphericalbeads, irregular shaped, etc.), and the amount of shell deposited. Inaddition, the cores may be coated with one or more shells and maycomprise multiple or alternating layers of shells.

The term “phosphate imbalance disorder” as used herein refers toconditions in which the level of phosphorus present in the body isabnormal. One example of a phosphate imbalance disorder includeshyperphosphatemia. The term “hyperphosphatemia” as used herein refers toa condition in which the element phosphorus is present in the body at anelevated level. Typically, a patient is often diagnosed withhyperphosphatemia if the blood phosphate level is, for example, aboveabout 4.0 or 4.5 milligrams per deciliter of blood, for example aboveabout 5.0 mg/dl, such as above about 5.5 mg/dl, for example above 6.0mg/dl, and/or a severely impaired glomerular filtration rate such as,for example, less than about 20% of normal. The present invention mayalso be used to treat patients suffering from hyperphosphatemia in EndStage Renal Disease and who are also receiving dialysis treatment (e.g.,hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).

Other diseases that can be treated with the methods, compounds,compositions, and kits of the present invention include hypocalcemia,hyperparathyroidism, depressed renal synthesis of calcitriol, tetany dueto hypocalcemia, renal insufficiency, and ectopic calcification in softtissues including calcifications in joints, lungs, kidney, conjuctiva,and myocardial tissues. Also, the present invention can be used to treatChronic Kidney Disease (CKD), End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) anddialysis patients, including prophylactic treatment of any of the above.

The polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks andcompositions described herein can be used as an adjunct to othertherapies e.g. those employing dietary control of phosphorus intake,dialysis, inorganic metal salts and/or other polymer resins.

The compositions of the present invention are also useful in removingchloride, bicarbonate, oxalate, and bile acids from the gastrointestinaltract. Polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networksremoving oxalate compounds or ions find use in the treatment of oxalateimbalance disorders, such as oxalosis or hyperoxaluria that increasesthe risk of kidney stone formation. Polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks removing chloride compounds or ionsfind use in treating acidosis, heartburn, acid reflux disease, sourstomach or gastritis, for example. In some embodiments, the compositionsof the present invention are useful for removing fatty acids, bilirubin,and related compounds. Some embodiments may also bind and remove highmolecular weight molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins orcell debris.

The present invention provides methods, pharmaceutical compositions, andkits for the treatment of animals. The term “animal” or “animal subject”or “patient” as used herein includes humans as well as other mammals(e.g., in veterinary treatments, such as in the treatment of dogs orcats, or livestock animals such as pigs, goats, cows, horses, chickensand the like). One embodiment of the invention is a method of removingphosphorous-containing compounds such as organophosphates or phosphatefrom the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach, small intestine orlarge intestine of an animal by administering an effective amount of atleast one of the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks described herein.

The term “treating” and its grammatical equivalents as used hereinincludes achieving a therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit.By therapeutic benefit is meant eradication, amelioration, or preventionof the underlying disorder being treated. For example, in ahyperphosphatemia patient, therapeutic benefit includes eradication oramelioration of the underlying hyperphosphatemia. Also, a therapeuticbenefit is achieved with the eradication, amelioration, or prevention ofone or more of the physiological symptoms associated with the underlyingdisorder such that an improvement is observed in the patient,notwithstanding that the patient may still be afflicted with theunderlying disorder. For example, administration of polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks, describedherein, to a patient suffering from renal insufficiency and/orhyperphosphatemia provides therapeutic benefit not only when thepatient's serum phosphate level is decreased, but also when animprovement is observed in the patient with respect to other disordersthat accompany renal failure and/or hyperphosphatemia like ectopiccalcification and renal osteodistrophy. For prophylactic benefit, forexample, the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks may be administered to a patient at risk of developinghyperphosphatemia or to a patient reporting one or more of thephysiological symptoms of hyperphosphatemia, even though a diagnosis ofhyperphosphatemia may not have been made.

The compositions may also be used to control serum phosphate in subjectswith elevated phosphate levels, for example, by changing the serum levelof phosphate towards a normal or near normal level, for example, towardsa level that is within 10% of the normal level of a healthy patient.

Other embodiments of the invention are directed towards pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising at least one of the polymers, copolymers,polymer networks and/or copolymer networks or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients, diluents, or carriers and optionally additional therapeuticagents. The compounds may be lyophilized or dried under vacuum or ovenbefore formulating.

The excipients or carriers are “acceptable” in the sense of beingcompatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and notdeleterious to the recipient thereof. The formulations can convenientlybe presented in unit dosage form and can be prepared by any suitablemethod. The methods typically include the step of bringing intoassociation the agent with the excipients or carriers such as byuniformly and intimately bringing into association the amine polymerwith the excipients or carriers and then, if necessary, dividing theproduct into unit dosages thereof.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention includecompositions wherein the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks are present in an effective amount, i.e., in anamount effective to achieve therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefit. Theactual amount effective for a particular application will depend on thepatient (e.g. age, weight) the condition being treated; and the route ofadministration.

The dosages of the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks in animals will depend on the disease being, treated,the route of administration, and the physical characteristics of theanimal being treated. Such dosage levels in some embodiments for eithertherapeutic and/or prophylactic uses may be from about 1 gm/day to about30 gm/day, for example from about 2 gm/day to about 20 gm/day or fromabout 3 gm/day to about 7 gm/day. The dose of the polymers, copolymers,polymer networks and/or copolymer networks described herein can be lessthan about 50 gm/day, less than about 40 gm/day, less than about 30gm/day, less than about 20 gm/day, and less than about 10 gm/day.

Typically, the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks can be administered before or after a meal, or with a meal. Asused herein, “before” or “after” a meal is typically within two hours,preferably within one hour, more preferably within thirty minutes, mostpreferably within ten minutes of commencing or finishing a meal,respectively.

Generally, it is preferred that the polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks are administered along with meals.The polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks maybe administered one time a day, two times a day, or three times a day.Preferably the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks are administered once a day with the largest meal.

Preferably, the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks may be used for therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefits andcan be administered alone or in the form of a pharmaceuticalcomposition. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks, one or morepharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients, andoptionally additional therapeutic agents. For example, the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks of the presentinvention may be co-administered with other active pharmaceutical agentsdepending on the condition being treated. Examples of pharmaceuticalagents that may be co-administered include, but are not limited to:

Other phosphate sequestrants including pharmaceutically acceptablelanthanum, calcium, aluminum, magnesium and zinc compounds, such asacetates, carbonates, oxides, hydroxides, citrates, alginates, andketoacids thereof.

Calcium compounds, including calcium carbonate, acetate (such as PhosLo®calcium acetate tablets), citrate, alginate, and ketoacids, have beenutilized for phosphate binding.

Aluminium-based phosphate sequestrants, such as Amphojel® aluminiumhydroxide gel, have also been used for treating hyperphosphatemia. Thesecompounds complex with intestinal phosphate to form highly insolublealuminium phosphate; the bound phosphate is unavailable for absorptionby the patient.

The most commonly used lanthanide compound, lanthanum carbonate(Fosrenol®) behaves similarly to calcium carbonate.

Other phosphate sequestrants suitable for use in the present inventioninclude pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium compounds. Variousexamples of pharmaceutically acceptable magnesium compounds aredescribed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/734,593 filed Nov. 8,2005, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference. Specific suitable examples include magnesium oxide, magnesiumhydroxide, magnesium halides (e.g., magnesium fluoride, magnesiumchloride, magnesium bromide and magnesium iodide), magnesium alkoxides(e.g., magnesium ethoxide and magnesium isopropoxide), magnesiumcarbonate, magnesium bicarbonate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate,magnesium trisilicates, magnesium salts of organic acids, such asfumaric acid, maleic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acidand styrenesulfonic acid, and a combination thereof.

Various examples of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc compounds aredescribed in PCT Application No. PCT/US2005/047582 filed Dec. 29, 2005,the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.Specific suitable examples of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc compoundsinclude zinc acetate, zinc bromide, zinc caprylate, zinc carbonate, zincchloride, zinc citrate, zinc formate, zinc hexafluorosilicate, zinciodate, zinc iodide, zinc iodide-starch, zinc lactate, zinc nitrate,zinc oleate, zinc oxalate, zinc oxide, calamine (zinc oxide with a smallproportion of ferric oxide), zinc p-phenolsulfonate, zinc propionate,zinc salicylate, zinc silicate, zinc stearate, zinc sulfate, zincsulfide, zinc tannate, zinc tartrate, zinc valerate and zincethylenebis(dithiocarbamate). Another example includes poly(zincacrylate).

When referring to any of the above-mentioned phosphate sequestrants, itis to be understood that mixtures, polymorphs and solvates thereof areencompassed.

In some embodiments, a mixture of the phosphate sequestrants describedabove can be used in the invention in combination with pharmaceuticallyacceptable ferrous iron salts.

In other embodiments, the phosphate sequestrant used in combination withpolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks of thepresent invention is not a pharmaceutically acceptable magnesiumcompound. In yet other embodiments, the phosphate sequestrant used incombination with the pharmaceutically acceptable polymers, copolymers,polymer networks and/or copolymer networks is not a pharmaceuticallyacceptable zinc compound.

The invention also includes methods and pharmaceutical compositionsdirected to a combination therapy of the polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks in combination with a phosphatetransport inhibitor or an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor. Alternatively,a mixture of the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks is employed together with a phosphate transport inhibitor or analkaline phosphatase inhibitor.

Suitable examples of phosphate transport inhibitors can be found inco-pending U.S. Application Publication Nos. 2004/0019113 and2004/0019020 and WO 2004/085448, the entire teachings of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

A large variety of organic and inorganic molecules are inhibitors toalkaline phosphatase (ALP) (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,630,the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference).Examples of alkaline phosphatase inhibitors include orthophosphate,arsenate, L-phenylalanine, L-homoarginine, tetramisole, levamisole,L-p-Bromotetramisole, 5,6-Dihydro-6-(2-naphthyl) imidazo-[2,1-b]thiazole(napthyl) and derivatives thereof. The preferred inhibitors include, butare not limited to, levamisole, bromotetramisole, and5,6-Dihydro-6-(2-naphthyl)imidazo-[2,1-b]thiazole and derivativesthereof.

This co-administration can include simultaneous administration of thetwo agents in the same dosage form, simultaneous administration inseparate dosage forms, and separate administration. For example, for thetreatment of hyperphosphatemia, the polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks may be co-administered with calciumsalts which are used to treat hypocalcemia resulting fromhyperphosphatemia.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be formulated as atablet, sachet, slurry, food formulation, troche, capsule, elixir,suspension, syrup, wafer, chewing gum or lozenge.

Preferably, the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks or the pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks is administeredorally. Illustrative of suitable methods, vehicles, excipients andcarriers are those described, for example, in Remington's PharmaceuticalSciences, 19th ed., the contents of which is incorporated herein byreference.

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the presentinvention may be formulated in conventional manner using one or morephysiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients andauxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks into preparationswhich can be used pharmaceutically. Proper formulation is dependent uponthe route of administration chosen. Suitable techniques for preparingpharmaceutical compositions of the amines are well known in the art.

In some aspects of the invention, the polymers, copolymers, polymernetworks and/or copolymer networks provide mechanical and thermalproperties that are usually performed by excipients, thus decreasing theamount of such excipients required for the formulation. In someembodiments the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks constitutes over about 30 wt. %, for example over about 40 wt.%, over about 50 wt. %, preferably over about 60 wt. %, over about 70wt. %, more preferably over about 80 wt. %, over about 85 wt. % or overabout 90 wt. % of the composition, the remainder comprising suitableexcipient(s).

In some embodiments, the compressibility of the tablets is stronglydependent upon the degree of hydration (moisture content) of thepolymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks.Preferably, the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymernetworks has a moisture content of about 5% by weight or greater, morepreferably, the moisture content is from about 5% to about 9% by weight,and most preferably about 7% by weight. It is to be understood that inembodiments in which the amine polymer is hydrated, the water ofhydration is considered to be a component of the amine polymer.

The tablet can further comprise one or more excipients, such ashardeners, glidants and lubricants, which are well known in the art.Suitable excipients include colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid,magnesium silicate, calcium silicate, sucrose, calcium stearate,glyceryl behenate, magnesium stearate, talc, zinc stearate and sodiumstearyl fumarate.

The tablet core of embodiments of the invention may be prepared by amethod comprising the steps of: (1) hydrating or drying the polymers,copolymers, polymer networks and/or copolymer networks to the desiredmoisture level; (2) blending the polymers, copolymers, polymer networksand/or copolymer networks with any excipients; and (3) compressing theblend using conventional tableting technology.

In some embodiments, the invention relates to a stable, swallowablecoated tablet, particularly a tablet comprising a hydrophilic core, suchas a tablet comprising the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks, as described above. In one embodiment, the coatingcomposition comprises a cellulose derivative and a plasticizing agent.The cellulose derivative is, preferably, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose(HPMC). The cellulose derivative can be present as an aqueous solution.Suitable hydroxypropylmethylcellulose solutions include those containingHPMC low viscosity and/or HPMC high viscosity. Additional suitablecellulose derivatives include cellulose ethers useful in film coatingformulations. The plasticizing agent can be, for example, an acetylatedmonoglyceride such as diacetylated monoglyceride. The coatingcomposition can further include a pigment selected to provide a tabletcoating of the desired color. For example, to produce a white coating, awhite pigment can be selected, such as titanium dioxide.

In one embodiment, the coated tablet of the invention can be prepared bya method comprising the step of contacting a tablet core of theinvention, as described above, with a coating solution comprising asolvent, at least one coating agent dissolved or suspended in thesolvent and, optionally, one or more plasticizing agents. Preferably,the solvent is an aqueous solvent, such as water or an aqueous buffer,or a mixed aqueous/organic solvent. Preferred coating agents includecellulose derivatives, such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Typically,the tablet core is contacted with the coating solution until the weightof the tablet core has increased by an amount ranging from about 4% toabout 6%, indicating the deposition of a suitable coating on the tabletcore to form a coated tablet.

Other pharmaceutical excipients useful in the some compositions of theinvention include a binder, such as microcrystalline cellulose,carbopol, providone and xanthan gum; a flavoring agent, such asmannitol, xylitol, maltodextrin, fructose, or sorbitol; a lubricant,such as vegetable based fatty acids; and, optionally, a disintegrant,such as croscarmellose sodium, gellan gum, low-substituted hydroxypropylether of cellulose, sodium starch glycolate. Such additives and othersuitable ingredients are well-known in the art; see, e.g., Gennaro A R(ed), Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19th Edition.

In some embodiments the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks of the invention are provided as pharmaceuticalcompositions in the form of chewable tablets. In addition to the activeingredient, the following types of excipients are commonly used: asweetening agent to provide the necessary palatability, plus a binderwhere the former is inadequate in providing sufficient tablet hardness;a lubricant to minimize frictional effects at the die wall andfacilitate tablet ejection; and, in some formulations a small amount ofa disintegrant is added to facilitate mastication. In general excipientlevels in currently-available chewable tablets are on the order of 3-5fold of active ingredient(s) whereas sweetening agents make up the bulkof the inactive ingredients. In some embodiments the invention providesa pharmaceutical composition formulated as a chewable tablet, comprisinga polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/or copolymer networksdescribed herein, a filler, and a lubricant. In some embodiments theinvention provides a pharmaceutical composition formulated as a chewabletablet, comprising a polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/orcopolymer network described herein, a filler, and a lubricant, whereinthe filler is chosen from the group consisting of sucrose, mannitol,xylitol, maltodextrin, fructose, and sorbitol, and wherein the lubricantis a magnesium fatty acid salt, such as magnesium stearate.

In one embodiment, the polymer, copolymer, polymer network and/orcopolymer network is pre-formulated with a high Tg/high melting pointlow molecular weight excipient such as mannitol, sorbose, and sucrose inorder to form a solid solution wherein the polymer and the excipient areintimately mixed. Methods of mixing such as extrusion, spray-drying,chill drying, lyophilization, or wet granulation are useful. Indicationof the level of mixing is given by known physical methods such asdifferential scanning calorimetry or dynamic mechanical analysis.

In some embodiments the polymers, copolymers, polymer networks and/orcopolymer networks of the invention are provided as pharmaceuticalcompositions in the form of liquid formulations. In some embodiments thepharmaceutical composition contains a polymer, copolymer, polymernetwork and/or copolymer network dispersed in a suitable liquidexcipient. Suitable liquid excipients are known in the art; see, e.g.,Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions may be in the formof a powder formulation packaged as a sachet that may be mixed withwater or other ingestible liquid and administered orally as a drink(solution or suspension). In order to ensure that such formulationsprovide acceptable properties to the patient such as mouth feel andtaste, a pharmaceutically acceptable anionic stabilizer may be includedin the formulation.

Examples of suitable anionic stabilizers include anionic polymers suchas: an anionic polypeptide, an anionic polysaccharide, or a polymer ofone or more anionic monomers such as polymers of mannuronic acid,guluronic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, glucuronic acid glutamicacid or a combination thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof. Other examples of anionic polymers include cellulose, such ascarboxyalkyl cellulose or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.The anionic polymer may be a homopoloymer or copolymer of two or more ofthe anionic monomers described above. Alternatively, the anioniccopolymer may include one or more anionic monomers and one or moreneutral comonomers such as olefinic anionic monomers such as vinylalcohol, acrylamide, and vinyl formamide.

Examples of anionic polymers include alginates (e.g. sodium alginate,potassium alginate, calcium alginate, magnesium alginate, ammoniumalginate, and esters of alginate), carboxymethyl cellulose, polylacticacid, polyglutamic acid, pectin, xanthan, carrageenan, furcellaran, gumArabic, karaya gum, gum ghatti, gum carob, and gum tragacanth. Preferredanionic polymers are alginates and are preferably esterified alginatessuch as a C2-C5-diol ester of alginate or a C3-C5 triol ester ofalginate. As used herein an “esterified alginate” means an alginic acidin which one or more of the carboxyl groups of the alginic acid areesterified. The remainder of the carboxylic acid groups in the alginateare optionally neutralized (partially or completely) as pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts. For example, propylene glycol alginate is an ester ofalginic acid in which some of the carboxyl groups are esterified withpropylene glycol, and the remainder of the carboxylic acid groups isoptionally neutralized with pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Morepreferably, the anionic polymer is ethylene glycol alginate, propyleneglycol alginate or glycerol alginate, with propylene glycol alginateeven more preferred.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that manychanges and modification can be made to the disclosures presented hereinwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to themunless specified otherwise:DAB-4-1,4-bis[bis(3-aminopropyl)amino]butane, commercially availablefrom Aldrich.

Materials Used

Dichloromethane, diethyl ether, epichlorohydrin, methanol, methylenechloride, methyl acrylate, tert-butyl methyl ether,tris(3-aminopropyl)amine and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine are commerciallyavailable from Sigma-Aldrich, Co.

Example 1 Synthesis of Compound I

2.5 g of a chilled solution (2° C.) of tris(3-aminopropyl)amine in 2.5ml of anhydrous methanol was added to an ice water bath chilled solution(2° C.) of 8.7 ml of methyl acrylate in 10 ml of anhydrous methanol. Thesolution was allowed to slowly warm to room temperature and was stirredsix days at room temperature. The solution was concentrated on a rotaryevaporator (bath temperature at 40° C.) yielding a light-yellow coloredviscous oil. 50 ml of anhydrous methanol was added to this material andthe solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator (bath temperature40° C.). The addition of anhydrous methanol (40 ml) and concentration ona rotary evaporator was repeated two additional times. The resultingmaterial was dried in vacuo yielding 9.15 g of viscous oil.

Example 2 Synthesis of Compound II

10 g of a chilled solution (2° C.) of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine in 10 mlof anhydrous methanol was slowly added to an ice water bath chilledsolution (0° C.) of 45 ml of methyl acrylate in 40 ml of anhydrousmethanol. The solution was allowed to slowly warm to room temperatureand stirred for six days at room temperature. The solution wasconcentrated on a rotary evaporator (bath temperature 40° C.) to yield alight yellow viscous oil. 50 ml of anhydrous methanol was added to thismaterial and the solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator (bathtemperature 40° C.). The addition of anhydrous methanol (40 ml) andconcentration on a rotary evaporator was repeated two additional times.The resulting material was dried in vacuo.

Example 3 Synthesis of Compound III

10 g of a chilled solution (2° C.) of DAB-4 in 10 ml of anhydrousmethanol was slowly added to an ice water bath chilled solution (0° C.)of 28 ml of methyl acrylate in 28 ml of anhydrous methanol. The solutionwas allowed to slowly warm to room temperature and stirred for five daysat room temperature. The solution was concentrated on a rotaryevaporator (bath temperature 40° C.) to afford a light yellow coloredviscous oil. 50 ml of anhydrous methanol was added to this material andthe solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator (bath temperature40° C.). The addition of anhydrous methanol (40 ml) and concentration ona rotary evaporator was repeated two additional times. The resultingmaterial was dried in vacuo to afford 30.11 g of the desired product.

Example 4 Synthesis of Compound IV

A mixture of 10 g of Compound I and 28.92 g of tris(3-aminopropyl)aminewas heated at 75° C. for four days under a nitrogen atmosphere. Themixture was cooled to room temperature, 50 ml of methanol was added tothe reaction mixture, and the resulting solution was slowly added, withstirring to 2 L of diethylether. The solution was allowed to settle, thesolvent (mostly diethyl ether) was decanted from the precipitate, andthe precipitate was dried in a vacuum oven at 30° C. The dried materialwas re-dissolved in methylene chloride and concentrated on a rotaryevaporator (bath temperature 45° C.) in vacuo. A stream of nitrogen wasblown over the residue overnight to yield 22.72 g of the desiredproduct.

Example 5 Reaction of Compound IV with Epichlorohydrin

A mixture of 19.40 g of Compound IV and 19.04 g of deionized water washeated at 60° C. until a solution formed. 905 ul of epichlorohydrin wasadded to a 19.04 g aliquot of this solution. Within ten minutes ofstirring at room temperature, a gel formed and was cured overnight atroom temperature. After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces,suspended in 1 L of deionized water and the pH of the suspension wasadjusted to 7.6 using concentrated HCl. The suspension was filtered, andthe collected material was re-suspended in 1 L of deionized water,stirred and filtered. The resulting material, having a wet weight of 142g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford 8.1 g of desiredproduct having an In-Process Swelling Ratio of 16 ml/g.

Example 6 Reaction of Compound IV with Epichlorohydrin

1.07 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to a solution of 7.5 g of CompoundIV in 7.5 g of water. Within ten minutes of stirring at roomtemperature, a gel formed and was cured over night at room temperature.After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 1 L ofdeionized water and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to 8 usingconcentrated HCl. The suspension was filtered, and the collectedmaterial was re-suspended in 1 L of deionized water, stirred andfiltered. The resulting material, having a wet weight of 48 g, was driedin a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford 5.9 g of desired product havingan In-Process Swelling Ratio of 7.1 ml/g.

Example 7 Reaction of Compound IV with Epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin was added to a solution of Compound IV in water andcured for different periods of time according to the amounts and timesin Table I below. After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces,suspended in 200 ml of deionized water, stirred, pH adjusted to 7.0using concentrated HCL, and filtered. The material was dried in a forcedair oven at 60° C. The results are summarized in Table I below.

TABLE I Reaction of Compound IV with Epichlorohydrin Amount of Amount ofIn-Process Compound Amount of Epichlorohydrin Curing Yield SwellingExample IV (g) DI water (g) (ul) Conditions (g) (ml/g) VII-1 0.787 0.78828 1 day at room 0.1 33.5 temperature, 3 days at 60° C. VII-2 0.7340.749 42 30 minutes at 0.5 41 room temperature, 1 day at 60° C. VII-30.836 0.844 64 30 minutes at 0.68 22 room temperature, 1 day at 60° C.

Example 8 Synthesis of Compound VIII

A mixture of 10 g of Compound I and 21.3 ml of tris(2-aminoethyl)aminewas heated at 75° C. for four days under a nitrogen atmosphere. Themixture was cooled to room temperature, 30 ml of dichloromethane wasadded to the reaction mixture, and the resulting solution was slowlyadded, with stirring to 2 L of diethylether. The solution was allowed tosettle for 30 minutes, the solvent (mostly diethyl ether) was decantedfrom the precipitate. The precipitate was dissolved in methylenechloride with a little methanol, and concentrated on a rotary evaporator(bath temperature 45° C.). A stream of nitrogen was blown over theresidue overnight to yield 23.89 g of the desired product.

Example 9 Reaction of Compound VIII with Epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin was added to a solution of Compound VIII in water andcured for different periods of time according to the amounts and timesin Table II below. After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces,suspended in 200 ml of deionized water, stirred, pH adjusted to 7.0using concentrated HCL, and filtered. The material was then dried in aforced air oven at 60° C. The results are summarized in Table II below.

TABLE II Reaction of Compound VIII with Epichlorohydrin Amount of Amountof In-Process Compound Amount of Epichlorohydrin Curing Yield SwellingExample VIII (g) DI water (g) (ul) Conditions (g) (ml/g) IX-1 0.75 0.7563.2 1 day at room 0.62 18 temperature IX-2 0.75 0.75 84.2 1 day at room0.70 9.9 temperature IX-3 0.75 0.75 105.3 1 day at room 0.74 8temperature

Example 10 Reaction of Compound VIII with Epichlorohydrin

1.07 ml of Epichlorohydrin was added to a stirred solution of 9.5 g ofCompound VIII in 9.5 g of deionized water. With 20 minutes of stirringat room temperature, a gel formed and was cured for three days at roomtemperature. After curing, the gel was broken into pieces, suspended in1 L of deionized water and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to 8.4using concentrated HCl. The suspension was filtered and the collectedmaterial was resuspended in 1 L of water, stirred and filtered. Theresulting material, having a wet weight of 149 g, was dried in a forcedair oven at 60° C. to yield 7.9 g of the desired product having anIn-Process Swelling Ratio of 18 ml/g.

Example 11 Reaction of Compound VIII with Epichlorohydrin

1.605 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to a stirred solution of 9.5 g ofCompound VIII in 9.5 g of deionized water. Within 23 minutes of stirringat room temperature, a gel formed and was cured for three days at roomtemperature. After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces,suspended in 1 L of deionized water, adjusted to pH 13 with the additionof 50% NaOH, and then further adjusted down to a pH of approximately 8-9using concentrated HCl. The suspension was filtered, and the collectedmaterial was re-suspended in 1 L of deionized water, stirred andfiltered. The resulting material, having a wet weight of 72.82 g, wasdried in a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford 9.78 g of desired producthaving an In-Process Swelling Ratio of 6.44 ml/g.

Example 12 Synthesis of Compound XII

A mixture of 9.06 g of Compound I and 25.5 ml oftris(3-aminopropyl)amine was heated at 75° C. for 48 hours under anitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, 30 mlof dichloromethane was added to the mixture and the resulting solutionwas slowly added with stirring to 1 L of tert-butyl methyl ether. Thesolution was stirred for five minutes, allowed to settle at 0° C., andthe solvent (mostly tert-butyl methyl ether) was decanted from theprecipitate. The precipitate was mixed in methylene chloride, andconcentrated on a rotary evaporator (bath temperature 40° C.) undervacuum. The concentrated material was further dried overnight undervacuum, and a stream of nitrogen was blown over the residue overnight toyield 25.57 g of the desired product. This material was subsequentlydissolved in 25.57 g of deionized water to afford a 50% (w/w) stocksolution.

Example 13 Reaction of Compound XII with Epichlorohydrin

1.81 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 19 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 12. Within five minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured over two nights at room temperature. Aftercuring, the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 1 L ofdeionized water and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to 8 usingconcentrated HCl. The suspension was filtered, and the collectedmaterial was re-suspended in 1 L of deionized water, stirred andfiltered. The resulting material, having a wet weight of 38.85 g, wasdried in a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford 10.14 g of desiredproduct having an In-Process Swelling Ratio of 2.83 ml/g.

Example 14 Reaction of Compound XII with Epichlorohydrin

905 ul of epichlorohydrin was added to 19 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 12. Within 15 minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured for ten days at room temperature. After curing,the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 1 L of deionizedwater and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to 8 using concentratedHCl. The suspension was filtered, and the collected material wasre-suspended in 1 L of deionized water, stirred and filtered. Theresulting material, having a wet weight of 58.55 g, was dried in aforced air oven at 60° C. to afford 8.65 g of desired product having anIn-Process Swelling Ratio of 5.77 ml/g.

Example 15 Synthesis of Compound XV

A mixture of 9.03 g of Compound I and 19.2 ml of tris(2-aminoethyl)aminewas heated at 75° C. for 48 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. Themixture was cooled to room temperature, 30 ml of dichloromethane wasadded to the mixture and the resulting solution was slowly added withstirring to 2 L of tert-butyl methyl ether. The solution was stirred forfive minutes, allowed to settle at 0° C., and the solvent (mostlytert-butyl methyl ether) was decanted from the precipitate. Theprecipitate was mixed with methylene chloride, and concentrated on arotary evaporator (bath temperature 40° C.) under vacuum. Theconcentrated material was further dried overnight in vacuo, and a streamof nitrogen was blown over the residue overnight to yield 23.12 g of thedesired product. This material was subsequently dissolved in 23.12 g ofdeionized water to afford a 50% (w/w) stock solution.

Example 16 Reaction of Compound XV with Epichlorohydrin

2.14 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 19 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 15. Within ten minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured for two days at room temperature. After curing,the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 1 L of deionizedwater and stirred at room temperature. The suspension was filtered, andthe collected material was re-suspended in 1 L of deionized water,stirred and filtered. The resulting material, having a wet weight of50.24 g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford 9.86 g ofdesired product having an In-Process Swelling Ratio of 4.10 ml/g.

Example 17 Reaction of Compound XV with Epichlorohydrin

1070 ul of epichlorohydrin was added to 19 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 15. Within 27 minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured for two days at room temperature. After curing,the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 1 L of deionizedwater and the suspension was adjusted to pH 8 using concentrated HCl.The suspension was filtered, and the collected material was re-suspendedin 1 L of deionized water, stirred and filtered. The resulting material,having a wet weight of 111.22 g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60°C. to afford 7.32 g of desired product having an In-Process SwellingRatio of 14.19 ml/g.

Example 18 Synthesis of Compound XVIII

A mixture of 9.04 g of Compound II and 20.4 ml oftris(2-aminoethyl)amine was heated at 75° C. for 48 hours under anitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, 30 mlof dichloromethane was added to the mixture and the resulting solutionwas slowly added with stirring to 2 L of tert-butyl methyl ether. Thesolution was stirred for five minutes, allowed to settle, the solvent(mostly tert-butyl methyl ether) was decanted from the precipitate andthe precipitate was dried in vacuo overnight. The dried material wasre-dissolved in methylene chloride and methanol and concentrated on arotary evaporator (bath temperature 40° C.) under vacuum. Theconcentrated material was further dried overnight in vacuo, and a streamof nitrogen was blown over the residue overnight to yield 25.62 g of thedesired product. This material was subsequently dissolved in 25.62 g ofdeionized water to afford a 50% (w/w) stock solution.

Example 19 Reaction of Compound XVIII with Epichlorohydrin

1.5 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 26 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 18. Within one hour and 40 minutes of stirring at roomtemperature, a gel formed and was cured for four days at roomtemperature. After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces,suspended in 2 L of deionized water and stirred at room temperature. Thesuspension was filtered, and the collected material was re-suspended in2 L of deionized water, stirred and filtered. The resulting material,having a wet weight of 138.3 g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60° C.to afford 9.50 g of desired product having an In-Process Swelling Ratioof 13.56 ml/g.

Example 20 Synthesis of Compound XX

A mixture of 9.03 g of Compound II and 27 ml of tris(3-aminopropyl)aminewas heated at 75° C. for 48 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. Themixture was cooled to room temperature, 30 ml of dichloromethane wasadded to the mixture and the resulting solution was slowly added withstirring to 2 L of tert-butyl methyl ether. The solution was stirred forfive minutes, allowed to settle, the solvent (mostly tert-butyl methylether) was decanted from the precipitate and the precipitate was driedin a vacuum oven overnight. The dried material was re-dissolved inmethylene chloride and methanol and concentrated on a rotary evaporator(bath temperature 40° C.) in vacuo. The concentrated material wasfurther dried overnight in vacuo, and a stream of nitrogen was blownover the residue overnight to yield 28.31 g of the desired product. Thismaterial was subsequently dissolved in 28.31 g of deionized water toafford a 50% (w/w) stock solution.

Example 21 Reaction of Compound XX with Epichlorohydrin

1.2 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 22 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 20. Within 12 minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured for four days at room temperature. Aftercuring, the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 2 L ofdeionized water and stirred at room temperature. The suspension wasfiltered, and the collected material was re-suspended in 2 L ofdeionized water, stirred and filtered. The resulting material, having awet weight of 63.71 g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60° C. toafford 9.0 g of desired product having an In-Process Swelling Ratio of6.08 ml/g.

Example 22 Synthesis of Compound XXII

A mixture of 9.09 g of Compound II and 45 ml of DAB-4 was heated at 75°C. for four days under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled toroom temperature, 30 ml of dichloromethane was added to the mixture andthe resulting solution was slowly added with stirring to 2 L oftert-butyl methyl ether. The solution was stirred for five minutes,allowed to settle, the solvent (mostly tert-butyl methyl ether) wasdecanted from the precipitate and the precipitate was dried in a vacuumoven overnight. The dried material was re-dissolved in methylenechloride and methanol and concentrated on a rotary evaporator (bathtemperature 40° C.) in vacuo. The concentrated material was furtherdried overnight in vacuo, and a stream of nitrogen was blown over theresidue overnight to yield 49.40 g of the desired product. This materialwas subsequently dissolved in 49.40 g of deionized water to afford a 50%(w/w) stock solution.

Example 23 Reaction of Compound XXII with Epichlorohydrin

1.5 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 36.2 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 22. Within 11 minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured for four days at room temperature. Aftercuring, the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 2 L ofdeionized water and stirred at room temperature. The suspension wasfiltered, and the collected material was re-suspended in 2 L ofdeionized water, stirred and filtered. The resulting material, having awet weight of 58.78 g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60° C. toafford 10.0 g of desired product having an In-Process Swelling Ratio of4.88 ml/g.

Example 24 Synthesis of Compound XXIV

A mixture of 9.05 g of Compound I and 42 ml of DAB-4 was heated at 75°C. for four days under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled toroom temperature, 30 ml of dichloromethane was added to the mixture andthe resulting solution was slowly added with stirring to 2 L oftert-butyl methyl ether. The solution was stirred for five minutes,allowed to settle, the solvent (mostly tert-butyl methyl ether) wasdecanted from the precipitate and the precipitate was dried in a vacuumoven overnight. The dried material was re-dissolved in methylenechloride and methanol and concentrated on a rotary evaporator (bathtemperature 40° C.) in vacuo. The concentrated material was furtherdried overnight in vacuo, and a stream of nitrogen was blown over theresidue overnight to yield 29.58 g of the desired product. This materialwas subsequently dissolved in 29.58 g of deionized water to afford a 50%(w/w) stock solution.

Example 25 Reaction of Compound XXIV with Epichlorohydrin

1.3 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 39.82 g of the 50% stock solutionfrom Example 23. Within 19 minutes of stirring at room temperature, agel formed and was cured for four days at room temperature. Aftercuring, the gel was broken into small pieces, suspended in 2 L ofdeionized water and stirred at room temperature. The suspension wasfiltered, and the collected material was re-suspended in 2 L ofdeionized water, stirred and filtered. The resulting material, having awet weight of 71.4 g, was dried in a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford10.5 g of desired product having an In-Process Swelling Ratio of 5.8ml/g

Example 26 Synthesis of Compound XXVI

A mixture of Compound III (29.54 g) and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (60.0mL) was heated at 75° C. for four days under a nitrogen atmosphere. Theresulting solution was diluted with deionized water and dialyzed againstdeionized water (membrane MWCO 3,500). The dialyzed solution wasconcentrated and lyophilized to afford 34.16 g.

Example 27 Reaction of Compound XXVI with Epichlorohydrin

2.0 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 17.25 g of a 50% (w/w) aqueoussolution of Compound XXVI. Within 14 minutes of stirring at roomtemperature, a gel formed and was cured overnight at room temperatureand for 8 hours at 60° C. After curing and cooling to room temperature,the gel was broken into small pieces, and suspended in 2 L of deionizedwater. The suspension was filtered, and the collected material wasre-suspended in 2 L of deionized water, stirred and the pH was adjustedto 11 with 50% aqueous NaOH. This suspension was filtered, washed andfiltered two more times with 2 L of deionized water each time. Theresulting material having a wet weight of 74.5 g was dried in a forcedair oven at 60° C. to afford 16.87 g of desired product having anIn-Process Swelling of 3.42 ml/g.

Example 28 Synthesis of Compound XXVIII

A mixture of 30 g of Compound I and 64 ml of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine washeated at 75° C. for 48 hours. The mixture was cooled to roomtemperature, diluted with deionized water to 25% (w/w) and dialyzed(MWCO 3500). Lyophilization of the dialyzed product afforded 32.47 g ofthe desired product.

Example 29 Reaction of Compound XXVIII with Epichlorohydrin

3.1 ml of epichlorohydrin was added to 55.16 g of a 50% (w/w) aqueoussolution of Compound XXVIII. Within 17 minutes of stirring at roomtemperature, a gel formed and was cured overnight at room temperature.After curing, the gel was broken into small pieces, and suspended in 2 Lof deionized water. The suspension was filtered, and the collectedmaterial was re-suspended in 2 L of deionized water, stirred andfiltered. The resulting material having a wet weight of 182.69 g wasdried in a forced air oven at 60° C. to afford 27.79 g of desiredproduct having an In-Process Swelling of 5.57 ml/g.

Example 30 Urinary Phosphorous Reduction (In-Vivo Rats)

Reduction of urinary phosphorous of the compounds from Example 5 andExample 10 was compared to a cellulose control and to Sevelamer in ratsaccording to the method described in the test methods. Table III detailsthe doses studied and the results obtained.

TABLE III Dose of Test 24 Hour % Reduction Article in Urine in UrinaryFeed (% by Phosphorous Phosphorous Test Article weight in feed) (mg/day)Study #1 Cellulose 0.50% 18.1 NA Sevelamer 0.50% 8.3 54.1% Example 5Compound  0.5% 9.4 48.1    Example 10 Compound  0.5% 7.0 61.3%Test MethodsAmine Polymer Urinary Phosphorous Reduction (In Vivo-Rats)

House male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used for the experiments. Therats were placed singly in wire-bottom cages, fed with Purina 5002 diet,and allowed to acclimate for at least five days prior to experimentaluse.

To establish baseline phosphorus excretion, the rats were placed inmetabolic cages for 48 hours. Their urine was collected and itsphosphorus content analyzed with a Hitachi analyzer to determinephosphorus excretion in mg/day. Any rats with outlying values wereexcluded; the remainder of the rats were distributed into groups.

Purina 5002 was used as the standard diet. The amine polymer beingtested was mixed with Purina 5002 to result in a final amine polymerconcentration of 0.25% by weight of the feed. Cellulose at 0.5% byweight was used as a negative control. Sevelamer at 0.5% by weight wasused as a positive control. For each rat, 200 g of diet was prepared.

Each rat was weighed and placed on the standard diet. After four days,the standard diet was replaced with the treatment diet (or control dietfor the control group). On days 5 and 6, urine samples from the rats at24 hours (+/−30 minutes) were collected and analyzed. The test rats wereagain weighed, and any weight loss or gain was calculated. Any remainingfood was also weighed to calculate the amount of food consumed per day.A change in phosphorus excretion relative to baseline and cellulosenegative control was calculated. Percentage reduction of urinaryphosphorous was determined by the following equation:% Reduction of Urinary Phosphorous=[(urinary phosphorous of negativecontrol (mg/day)−urinary phosphorous of experimental (mg/day))/urinaryphosphorous of negative control (mg/day)]×100.In Vitro Phosphate Binding (mmol/g)

Two samples per polymer are weighed into plastic bottles after havingadjusted the weight of the polymer for the loss on drying of eachsample. A 10 mM phosphate buffer solution containing 10 mM KH₂PO₄, 100mM N,N-bis[2-hydroxyethyl]-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, 80 mM NaCl, 15 mMglycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDC), and 15 mM oleic acid (pH adjusted to7.0 with 1 N NaOH) is prepared and well mixed. Aliquots of the 10 mMphosphate buffer solution are transferred into each of the two samplebottles. The solutions are well mixed and then placed into an orbitalshaker at 37° C. for 1 hour. The polymer is allowed to settle prior toremoving a sample aliquot from each solution. The sample aliquot isfiltered into a small vial using a disposable syringe and syringefilter. The filtered sample is diluted 1-to-10 with DI water. Theshaking is continued for a further 4 hours (total of 5 hours) and thesampling procedure is repeated. Phosphate standards are prepared from a10 mM phosphate standard stock solution and diluted appropriately toprovide standards in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 mM. Both the standards andsamples are analyzed by ion chromatography. A standard curve is set upand the unbound phosphate (mM) for each test solution is calculated.Bound phosphate is determined by the following equation:Bound Phosphate (mmol/g)=[(10−Unbound PO₄)×Vol.×1000]/MassP; whereinVol.=volume of test solution (L); MassP=LOD adjusted mass of polymer(mg).In-Process Swelling Ratio (mL/g)

The in-process swelling ratio (SR) is determined by the followingequation:SR=(weight of wet gel (g)−weight of dry polymer (g))/weight of drypolymer (g).

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of removing a compound or ion from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal comprising administering to theanimal an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising:a) a copolymer derived from compounds according to the followingFormulas I and II:

wherein R1 independently represents a hydrogen radical —RNH₂,—R—N—(R—NH₂)₂ or —R—N—(R—N—(R—NH₂)₂)₂, wherein R independentlyrepresents a branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkylradical, with the proviso that at least one R₁ is not a hydrogenradical; R₂ independently represents a hydrogen radical or a branched orunbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical; and b) apharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 2. A method of removing acompound or ion from the gastrointestinal tract of an animal comprisingadministering to the animal an effective amount of a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising: a) a hyperbranched copolymer derived from: (i) amulti-amine monomer; and (ii) a multifunctional monomer comprising twoor more amine-reactive groups; and b) a pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient.
 3. A method of removing a compound or ion from thegastrointestinal tract of an animal comprising administering to theanimal a pharmaceutical composition comprising: a) a copolymercomprising i) at least one multi-amine or residue thereof; and ii) atleast one ester or multi-ester or residue thereof; wherein saidcopolymer has a degree of branching of from 0.10 to 0.95; and b) apharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 4. The method of claim 2, whereinthe amine reactive groups are independently selected from the groupconsisting of vinyl groups, carboxylic acid groups, ester groups and/orcombinations thereof.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein themultifunctional monomer is selected from the group consisting of:


6. The method of claim 1, wherein said copolymer has a degree ofbranching of from 0.10 to 0.95.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein from10-95% of the nitrogen atoms in the copolymer are the nitrogen in asecondary amine moiety.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said copolymerhas a polydispersity greater than about 1.2.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the intrinsic viscosity of said branched copolymer has nomaximum (versus viscosity averaged molecular weight).
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said copolymer has random, variable length branching.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound according to Formula Iis selected from the group consisting of:

and combinations thereof, wherein R independently represents a branchedor unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the compound according to Formula I isselected from the group consisting of:

and combinations thereof.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thecompound according to Formula II is selected from the group consistingof:


14. The method of claim 2, wherein the multi-amine is selected from thegroup consisting of:

and combinations thereof, wherein R independently represents a branchedor unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical.
 15. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the multi-ester is selected from the groupconsisting of:

and combinations thereof, wherein R independently represents a branchedor unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical.